Shea-Porter Statement on Senior Leadership at the VA New England Healthcare System

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) today joined calls from New Hampshire veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove Dr. Mayo-Smith from his leadership role at the VA New England Healthcare System (VISN 1):

“I agree with New Hampshire veterans, the New Hampshire VFW, and the American Legion – Department of New Hampshire that new leadership is needed for the New England VA Healthcare system. The failures at the Manchester VA Medical Center and the deteriorating condition of that facility are unacceptable and must be corrected with the utmost urgency. New Hampshire’s veterans deserve no less. In recent months, both the VA’s Office of Inspector General and the independent Office of Special Counsel have issued reports that show failures of leadership at the VISN, and there has been disturbing reporting from USA Today on botched surgeries at the Togus VA Medical Center. I agree with the Office of Special Counsel that the VA did not act appropriately to investigate and address the issues at Manchester before the Boston Globe publicized them, and ultimately, it is the responsibility of the leadership at the VISN to do this. Given that these failures occurred under the current leadership, and that the Manchester facility has been neglected by the VISN for far too many years, for the sake of our veterans, I believe that new leadership is needed going forward.”